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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
4 STARS
Bad boy Rafe Mackade has returned home with his quick temper and charming swagger. His plan is to restore the old civil war mansion and turn it into an Inn. Helping him furnish the Inn is newcomer Regan Bishop who owns an antique shop in town. Although she has been warned, Regan can’t help falling for the MacKade charm especially when she sees his sensitivity towards her abused friend, Cassie. Can Regan manage to keep things casual while Rafe tries to keep out of trouble?
This is a reread for me and I still really like this book and cannot wait to read the rest of the series. I like Roberts realistic portrayal of domestic abuse and how a woman tries to free herself from it. The romance between Rafe and Regan is sweet and hot. It does not come off rushed or too much. Roberts also does a great job introducing the other MacKade brothers and sets up the next book. If you are looking for a romance with a bit of substance try this series!
First read in 2008.
Bad boy Rafe Mackade has returned home with his quick temper and charming swagger. His plan is to restore the old civil war mansion and turn it into an Inn. Helping him furnish the Inn is newcomer Regan Bishop who owns an antique shop in town. Although she has been warned, Regan can’t help falling for the MacKade charm especially when she sees his sensitivity towards her abused friend, Cassie. Can Regan manage to keep things casual while Rafe tries to keep out of trouble?
This is a reread for me and I still really like this book and cannot wait to read the rest of the series. I like Roberts realistic portrayal of domestic abuse and how a woman tries to free herself from it. The romance between Rafe and Regan is sweet and hot. It does not come off rushed or too much. Roberts also does a great job introducing the other MacKade brothers and sets up the next book. If you are looking for a romance with a bit of substance try this series!
First read in 2008.
The Return of Rafe MacKade
4 Stars
Regan and Rafe’s romance is your typical clash of wills storyline as Regan strives to maintain her independence in the face of her intense attraction to Rafe. The characters are well developed with enough detail concerning their pasts to make the conflict between the two believable. Moreover, the small town atmosphere and the dynamic between the MacKade brothers is wonderful, and their banter and antics make them completely irresistible.
The secondary plot revolving around Cassie and her abusive husband adds depth to an otherwise run of the mill romance because the issues raised are still as relevant today as they were when the book was originally published in 1995. It always astounds me how obtuse and idiotic the legal system is when it comes to spousal abuse.
Finally, the story of two civil war soldiers, one Union and the other Confederate, and their link to the Barlow house is both charming and heart-wrenching. Nevertheless, the connection between the ghostly occurrences in the house and Regan and Rafe’s relationship could have been better developed.
In sum, a relatively light hearted read, which reminded me of why I enjoy Nora’s writing so much.
4 Stars
Regan and Rafe’s romance is your typical clash of wills storyline as Regan strives to maintain her independence in the face of her intense attraction to Rafe. The characters are well developed with enough detail concerning their pasts to make the conflict between the two believable. Moreover, the small town atmosphere and the dynamic between the MacKade brothers is wonderful, and their banter and antics make them completely irresistible.
The secondary plot revolving around Cassie and her abusive husband adds depth to an otherwise run of the mill romance because the issues raised are still as relevant today as they were when the book was originally published in 1995. It always astounds me how obtuse and idiotic the legal system is when it comes to spousal abuse.
Finally, the story of two civil war soldiers, one Union and the other Confederate, and their link to the Barlow house is both charming and heart-wrenching. Nevertheless, the connection between the ghostly occurrences in the house and Regan and Rafe’s relationship could have been better developed.
In sum, a relatively light hearted read, which reminded me of why I enjoy Nora’s writing so much.
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
medium-paced
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Rape
I am not a Nora Roberts fan but really enjoyed this book so off to read the rest of the series
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
all I remember about this book was the girl was smart and the boy was hot. Rafe sorta reminds me of Jessie from full house.
Definitely one of her earlier series...
I can tell it's an older series as the style is different from the recent ones. There's also a ton of quasi-offensive stereotypes applied to background characters that made it hard to really enjoy the plot. Hopefully the other books redeem the series, but as of now, the McKade brothers are my least favorite heroes.
I can tell it's an older series as the style is different from the recent ones. There's also a ton of quasi-offensive stereotypes applied to background characters that made it hard to really enjoy the plot. Hopefully the other books redeem the series, but as of now, the McKade brothers are my least favorite heroes.